Amateurism As an Exploitative Ideology.

College athletic programs are too professionally organized to retain their amateur status, the essence of which is participant oriented. Because intercollegiate athletics is at least partly a commercial entertainment and of financial benefit to the sponsoring institution, athletes should be considered "workers." Physical and emotional demands made on the college athlete differ little from those imposed on the professional. Reasons for colleges' retaining their amateur status include the widely believed claim that commercialism and academic values are incompatible, and the fear of loss of control over athletes, usually by awarding or withdrawing "scholarships." College sports programs should be considered professional, and athletes should: 1) know their legal rights, 2) sign and understand the scholarship as a legal contract, and 3) form advisory and social committees to meet student athlete needs. (CJ)